War Stopper looks like one to watch

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The third race last Saturday at Aqueduct did produce a 3-year-old with a future. It just wasn’t the one who was so highly touted going in.

War Stopper, a son of Declaration of War, rolled to a front-running, four-length victory in the one-mile race. He covered the distance in 1:37.54 – a solid time for this track – and earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. War Stopper was making his fourth start for owner Mike Salerno and trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

Given his pedigree, War Stopper made his first two starts on turf without success. He tried dirt on Dec. 7 – a day when speed was very good at Aqueduct – and after breaking poorly he never really got involved finishing fifth, nine lengths behind Cost Basis.

Joel Rosario, who rode War Stopper that day, suggested to Rodriguez he try blinkers. The equipment seemed to help as War Stopper broke alertly under Jorge Vargas Jr. on Saturday, showed good speed, and finished well.

“We always liked him, we tried him on the grass because they said he had a lot of breeding for the grass,” Rodriguez said. “When we ran him [first time] on the dirt, he just ran okay. Joel said maybe put blinkers on him because he was looking around.”

Rodriguez said by Sunday that he had already fielded calls from agents looking to buy the horse. Rodriguez said the decision whether to sell would be made by Salerno. Rodriguez said if the horse is still with him, he would consider running War Stopper in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes here March 7.

“He definitely ran a big race, we’re going to see where he takes us,” Rodriguez said. “Right now, the sky’s the limit.”

Meanwhile, First Line, whom trainer Orlando Noda had expressed great confidence in, chase the early pace and faded to fourth, beaten 28 3/4 lengths, in the field of six.